The Weekly Grill

In today's episode, host Kerry Lonergan chats with respected meat processor and industry leader Terry Nolan, who was guest speaker at the Queensland Rural Press Club's annual Ekka breakfast in Brisbane this morning - a gathering of more than 800 stakeholders.

Terry and his family are close to finalising the sale of their Nolan Meats processing business to Hewitt, making his Brisbane presentation a fitting bookend to the family 70-year contribution to the industry.

He touches on wide ranging topics, ranging from the power of relationships to the value of being involved in industry representation. He shares his views on the likely future direction of lotfeeding in Australia, the lasting legacy left by Meat Standards Australia, the dangers involved in 'group-think' and some of the people who 'made a difference' in developing the modern day Australian beef industry.

 

The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:

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• Ceres Tags Gen 6

In this episode Kerry Lonergan chats with Mike Stevens, principal of Meridian Agriculture and one of Australia’s leading succession planning experts. They discuss why succession planning must start early, why people and family communication come first, and how legal, tax and ownership structures should follow careful family decisions.

Mike shares real-life success and failure stories, common mistakes to avoid, and practical steps for rural families to protect farm viability and fairly manage expectations across generations.

 

The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:

• Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
• Ceres Tags Gen 6

In today's episode of The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan chats with regular market experts Chris Howie and Matthew Dalgleish about how current weather patterns — including an emerging El Niño — are affecting feed, regional conditions and livestock supply across Australia.

They review cattle and sheep herd numbers, slaughter trends, meatworks capacity, rising lamb prices, the growth of sheep feedlots, MSA grading and EID technology, and discuss short-term buying strategies... and more

 

 

 

The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:

• Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
• Ceres Tags Gen 6

In this episode Kerry Lonergan interviews Felicity Richards, Chair of FarmSafe Australia, about recent on‑farm fatality statistics, leading causes (quad bikes, side‑by‑sides and tractors), and common contributing factors such as lack of helmets/seatbelts, speed, and unsafe mounting/dismounting.

In the lead up to Farm Safety Week, the conversation covers vulnerable groups (older farmers and young children near water), the role of fatigue and mental health, and prevention strategies including protective gear, operator protection devices, safe procedures and better inductions. Felicity highlights FarmSafe campaigns like “Second Chance” and the new “Set the Standard.”

Listeners are urged to share safety stories, use available toolbox resources, and visit farmsafe.org to find Farm Safety Week events and practical tools to protect families and workers.

Farm Safety Week takes place from 16 to 25 July 2026

 

 

The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:

• Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
• Ceres Tags Gen 6

 

 

 

Counting down to LambEx 2026, The Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan explores booming lamb prices and the new carcass feedback program adopted at GMP Gundagai. He chats with GMP CEO Will Barton about DEXA scans, MEQ probes, GLQ scoring and producer bonuses for premium outcomes.

Kerry then chats with lamb producer Jenny Bradley as she shares her experiences with the new feedback program and her operation's firsthand results and on‑farm changes.

The episode previews LambEx 2026 and explores how individual carcass data is shaping a more valuable, measurable lamb supply chain.

In today’s episode of The Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan is joined by Beef Central's Jon Condon as they dial in AusMeat Chair, Allan Bloxsom, to discuss AusMeat’s new, industry-agreed rules for breed-specific content claims that take affect from July 1.

The conversation covers how the new export trade descriptions will work (e.g., Angus F1, Angus 50, Angus Composite), verification options (phenotype or optional genetic testing), implications for brand managers, producers and consumers, and impacts on existing 75% and 100% programs and more.

This week on The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan sits down with Simon Irwin, CEO of Beef 2027, to talk about learnings from Beef 2024 and the plans for the next event in Rockhampton; they discuss record attendances, exhibitor demand, and the event's economic impact.

The episode covers major challenges and innovations: accommodation shortages and solutions (Airbnb partnerships, Camplify and caravans), expanded tech and fifth‑quarter showcases, sustainability and emissions work, security and counter‑terrorism measures, and new digital tools like an interactive app.

Also discussed are global interest and networking opportunities, Next Gen and mentoring programs for young ag professionals, the importance of interbreed championships, and why Beef remains central to regional Queensland.

 

The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:

• Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
• Ceres Tags Gen 6

 

 

Along with eight other young beef industry stakeholders, NSW's Millie Unthank is one of this year's Graeme Acton Beef Connections program participants.

In this episode of The Weekly Grill, Kerry Lonergan interviews Millie, Ag Tech Manager for the McDonald family's MDH operations in North Queensland. She outlines her rural upbringing, studies in bioengineering and computer science, and how she moved from southern saleyards to managing large‑scale agtech in northern beef production.

The pair discuss the importance of clean, foundational data for AI and decision‑making, balancing traditional stockmanship with automation, connectivity solutions like Starlink, and Millie’s recent, early experiences as part of the Graeme Acton Beef Connections Program.

• Millie is also writing a monthly diary countdown towards the Beef Connections program's conclusion at Beef 2027 in Rocky next May, appearing on Beef Central. Click here to read her first entry, published today.

 

The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:

• Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
• Ceres Tags Gen 6

In today's episode of The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan interviews Darren Thomas, CEO of Thomas Foods International, about the company’s growth from family beginnings to a multi-billion-dollar global business.

They discuss key issues including China tariffs and trade challenges, the rebuilding of Murray Bridge after the 2018 fire, expansion into the US, goat and seafood operations, feedlot growth, labour and technology pressures, and food security.

Darren also reflects on community support, the importance of youth pathways into agriculture, and how innovation and international investment shape the future of Australian processing and exports.

 

In this episode of The Weekly Grill Kerry Lonergan interviews veteran cattleman Dick Slaney about his extraordinary career from North Queensland to Venezuela, the US and across Asia. Dick recounts hands-on experiences in live export, feedlots and abattoirs, his role in introducing stunning practices in Indonesia, and reflections on the resilience and changing dynamics of the Australia–Indonesia beef trade.

He also discusses the impacts of trade suspensions, rising competition from cheaper imports, cultural lessons learned while working in Asia, and the people and mentors who shaped his life and career.

 

The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:

• Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
• Ceres Tags Gen 6